Lions shuffle roster; rookie TeSlaa shines

• Holmes actually shed more players than he had to, trimming the roster to 50, giving him room to keep tinkering yesterday.

• The team traded veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick and signed Daniel Thomas, a defensive back who was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Three takeaways from the Lions' busy week

✨ TeSlaa shines: By trading Patrick, the Lions are making way for rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.

• TeSlaa, picked in the third round, showed big-play potential in the preseason, with 10 catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns.

🤦 Draft mistakes: Holmes has a keen eye for talent, but he's not perfect.

• This week's roster cuts included two 2023 third-round picks — defensive lineman Brodric Martin and quarterback Hendon Hooker, who lost the backup-quarterback competition to Kyle Allen.

🤝 Za'Darius Smith reunion: Speculation is strong that Detroit is interested in bringing back Smith to bolster its pass rush.

• After Tuesday's cuts, Detroit was left with only three healthy edge rushers: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and Al-Quadin Muhammad.

What's next: The NFL season starts Sept. 4, when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys.